Bulgaria is an excellent country for backpackers who want to explore Europe without the high costs found in many of the continent’s better-known destinations. A single trip can take in historic cities, mountain trails, traditional villages, monasteries, and the Black Sea coast, while buses and trains connect most major stops.

The best places for backpackers in Bulgaria range from lively Sofia and ancient Plovdiv to the trails of the Rila and Pirin Mountains, the old streets of Veliko Tarnovo, and quieter stretches of the southern Black Sea coast. Distances are relatively short, so even a week can include several very different parts of the country.